Step 4: Special Education
A child’s school can be your key partner for the next 22 years, so it is important to be educated about your rights and your child’s rights under the law, as well as how to advocate for them. When it comes to special education, parental involvement is paramount to the success of a child.
Special education refers to a range of services that can be provided in different ways and different settings. There is no “one size fits all” approach to special education. It is tailored to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Special education focuses on helping kids with disabilities learn, but it does not mean placing kids in a special classroom all day long. Federal law says that children who receive special education services should learn in the same classrooms as other students as much as possible. This is known as the least restrictive environment (LRE).
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that defines and regulates special education. It requires public schools to provide special education services to children ages 3 to 21 who meet certain criteria. These interventions are designed to help individuals with disabilities achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school and their community, which may not be available if the students were only given access to a general classroom experience. IDEA states that public schools must provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). The law also gives parents the right to be part of the process and legal recourse if the law is not followed.
A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education can be downloaded from the Ohio Department of Education website in a variety of languages; it explains parents’ rights in the special education process. School districts are required to offer this publication to parents once a year, but this may happen after the school meeting. Parents can familiarize themselves with their rights before they meet with their school district. The Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities is a document that states how school districts and other educational agencies implement special education and related services in Ohio. Find more on the Ohio Department of Education website.
Check out the Wrights Law website and educate yourself about your child’s rights and your rights as a parent in the special education world. The book, From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide, is also a critical read.
